But must block out Bills loss, beat Jets and pray for assistance

DAVIE — The Dolphins went from being completely in control of their playoff hopes to needing help from San Diego or Cincinnati after a disastrous Sunday in Buffalo.

Miami (8-7) had to win its final two games to get into the postseason, but with the loss to the Bills, the Dolphins now need to beat the Jets and get assistance to make the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

"We're all disappointed. Everything was in our hands and now we need help. We just have to win the next game," Dolphins defensive tackle Randy Starks said.

The Dolphins must win or tie in order to make the postseason. A loss to the Jets at home will eliminate them.

So provided Miami beats or ties the Jets, there are a few scenarios in which the Dolphins will get the sixth playoff spot in the AFC.

First, Cincinnati (10-5) would have to beat the Ravens (8-7) at home. Cincinnati has already locked up the AFC North, but will clinch a first-round bye if they beat Baltimore and New England loses at home to Buffalo. The Bengals' 7-0 record at home this season means they will be tough to beat in Cincinnati, and it also puts a premium on them being able to secure home field advantage.

The other scenario is if the Chargers (8-7) beat the Chiefs (11-4) in San Diego. Kansas City has already clinched the fifth AFC playoff spot.

If either one of those scenarios plays out, the Dolphins will get the final AFC playoff spot.

If the Dolphins happen to tie the Jets, they would need a Baltimore loss, plus a San Diego loss or tie. Or, in a truly unlikely scenario, Miami would be in if the Dolphins, Ravens, Chargers all end their games in a tie.

"We're still in this," tackle Bryant McKinnie said. "The main thing right now is to worry about the Jets. Losing always hurts, but next week is a big opportunity and a big chance for us to get a win that means a lot. We need to take advantage of that."

The Dolphins' path to the postseason is markedly cloudier than it was going into Sunday's game. And even though the Dolphins would have had to beat the Jets regardless of what happened in Buffalo, the loss to the Bills took a big bite out of Miami's control over its postseason hopes.

"This is very difficult because we knew if we won both these games we're in the playoffs," Dolphins center Mike Pouncey said. "Right now we're hoping another team wins. That's what we have to look forward to right now, and of course we have to win our game. We still have something to look for. We have to take the same mindset, get better."

The result was plenty disappointing for the Dolphins because they now have a much tougher road to the postseason, but the way in which they loss only compounded the setback.

Seemingly all aspects of the offense and defense struggled against the Bills. Miami had just 103 yards of offense, and 50 of those yards came on one pass play from Matt Moore to Brian Hartline. Moore threw an interception on the next play.

Additionally, Miami rushed for just 14 yards on 12 attempts and the offensive line surrendered seven sacks.

On defense, the Dolphins gave up 203 yards rushing on 51 carries.

"The film says we didn't do some of the basic fundamental things as well as our opponent did," Dolphins coach Joe Philbin said.

The performance left the Dolphins with a long list of concerns to fix for their final regular season game, but Philbin sees Sunday's finale as a chance for Miami to at least partly undue the self-inflicted damage from the Buffalo loss.

"We have to play our best game of the year on Sunday at 1 o'clock in front of our home fans," Philbin said. "It's a great way for us to finish the regular season and a great opportunity. We've got to go to work and play our best game of the year."